The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt (NTRA) has signed today joint cooperation protocols with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) to exchange expertise and training programs, as well as improve research and development aspects. In addition, the cooperation protocols entail establishing two centers for excellence as well as for Robotics, Auto-Control and Cybersecurity researches. In fact, this step comes in line with NTRA and AASTMT’s keenness on reinforcing cooperation, coordination and integration at both sides to develop highly adaptive human cadres, with respect to the latest technology updates. Furthermore, the signed protocols aim to uphold telecom research activities, and connect these to the latest technical updates and actual requirements in market.
Engineer Hossam El-Gamal, the Executive President of NTRA, has confirmed that the protocols signed with AASTMT represent NTRA’s keenness on establishing a strategic partnership with one of the regional leading institutes in training and scientific research. This partnership would reflect on developing human capacities and resources at both sides, to be able to cope with the advanced technologies in Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Auto-Control systems. It would also help with building specialized capacities, capable of figuring out pragmatic solutions for the challenges encountered in Egypt’s telecom market.
At his side, the President of AASTMT, Mr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar, points out: “It’s our pleasure to cooperate with NTRA and we do hope to achieve the objectives desired from such a cooperation”. He has also said the cooperation helps with expanding communication channels between both parties to boost transformation to Knowledge Economy.
“Protocol-signature embodies the willing of both parties to develop and reinforce joint cooperation, in order to utilize the capabilities of both sides in education and training”, adds Mr. Abdel Ghafar. Moreover, NTRA and AASTMT have reached an understanding to provide all possible aids, within the capacities determined for each party, so as to achieve the objectives set forth for each of them. Mr. Abdel Ghafar has also asserted that AI has currently become one of the major outputs of innovation, associated with the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He has clarified that AI tools have been formed along with the development of technology revolution inputs, digital technologies, smart systems and programming apps.
He has also pointed out that AASTMT, is a specialized institute managed under the umbrella of the Arab League, being its technical arm, and have been able over 50 years to cope with the rapidly-increasing pace of training, education and scientific research worldwide.
The cooperation protocols stipulate joint participation in many fields of technology, passing on technical, legal and regulatory expertise between NTRA and AASTMT, alongside development of specialized training programs including Radio Spectrum, telecom infrastructure-planning in smart cities, AI, data processing, general management and human resources. Furthermore, the protocols aim to promote cooperation with respect to activities and programs. They also aim to establish centers of excellence to enhance scientific research in telecom sector.
The Agreement has been signed by and between Eng. Hossam El-Gamal, the Executive President of NTRA, and Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar, the President of AASTMT.
It’s worth noting that NTRA is deemed the official entity authorized to regulate telecom sector by implementing the policy aimed at improving and disseminating telecom services, in their various types, to cope with the technological advance and to meet the individual, corporate and sectorial requirements pertaining to telecom. NTRA also undertakes encouraging national as well as global investments in telecom sector under the umbrella of free competition rules.
On the other hand, AASTMT is considered an educational as well as a training institute which has sought, since established, to move to internationalism by providing premium services which are highly adaptive to the ongoing global development in the fields of education, training and scientific research. This policy of AASTMT is adopted in line with the Institute’s firm belief in the importance of using computer software as well as communication and information technology to support the educational process. Furthermore, AASTMT aims to provide several training programs as well as activities, and prepare specialized cadres in information technology. It also assumes a leading role in human resource-development.
